Happy Year of Faith!

Want a way to celebrate?  Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Father Erlenbush explains how. 
Excerpts:

... After reading the prologue to the Catechism (CCC 1 to 25), I would recommend continuing with the opening portion of the first part (CCC 26 to 49) which deals with man’s desire and capacity for a relationship with God.

Then, one may go to the back of the Catechism and read the fourth part, on Christian Prayer (CCC 2558 to 2865). Reading through the fourth part, looking up the cross-references, one will have become familiar with a great deal of the Catechism. After gaining an understanding of the foundations of the life of prayer, one could then return to part two, on the Liturgy and the Sacraments – since it is through prayer and the sacramental life of the Church, that man comes into that most precious contact with God.

From the second part, I would recommend reading the first part, which is an exposition of Christian doctrine. Finally, one may then read the third part, on morality. All the while, reading (and re-reading) the cross-referenced paragraphs.

Finally, I would not recommend that one be too concerned about finishing the whole Catechism within the Year of Faith. If a man begins reading (and develops an intellectual method for appreciating) the Catechism during the Year, it is very likely that he will succeed in continuing his study for many years into the future. In any case, the Catechism is certainly not a book to be rushed through – many individuals have a tendency to read great books far too quickly!...

For more reflections on how to read the Catechism, see his original post.

We apparently have one person in particular to thank for the existence of the Catechism, aside from Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Schoenborn, and their collaborators.  Excerpts:

“...Before we begin, I want to thank Tom Monaghan for funding the Catechism.”  He explained that in the mid-1980s, Pope John Paul II had indicated an interest in developing a catechism for the worldwide Church; a commission of 12 bishops and cardinals had been put in charge of the project; but for several years, it had not moved forward.  At the end of each fiscal year, various Vatican departments looked at their budgets and could not find room for such a large project.  That was, he explained, when Tom Monaghan stepped in and offered the necessary sponsorship for the research, travel, staff and equipment necessary to complete the project.  Without Tom, Cardinal Schönborn explained, the Catechism might never have been published...

Dr. Hahn explains the importance of the Catechism and the Year of Faith.

The shortest, easiest version to read is the Compendium. For youth, there's the YouCat. For adults, there's the Catechism for Adults.

For a simplified version of the big Catechism, see Dr. Schreck's book. Peter Kreeft wrote a version, as well.